"Music is about ... connecting different people, and building bridges and breaking the rules," the rapper tells CNN. "If it's not compelling, and it's not complex and it's not interesting, then what are we doing it for? So I think that's the right move."

"I needed to do something that was going to be interesting like that, and shake things up, and jump out of the box," he said. "I'm really proud of it, and I hope the world hears it and enjoys it."

Whether people enjoyed it or not, they certainly talked about it. The song, from Paisley's new album, Wheelhouse, caused a fire storm on social media and features the two singers having a charged debate about race.

"Brad's not afraid to express himself," LL Cool J tells Parade in a new interview. "What other country artist, or any artist right now, talks about slavery?"

As for Paisley, he tells Ellen DeGeneres of the song: "I just think art has a responsibility to lead the way. I don't know the answers, but I feel like asking the question is the first step, and we're asking the question in a big way."